What to See at Kings Place in January 2026
From immersive music nights to jazz, podcasts and boundary-pushing classical
January can feel culturally quiet, but Kings Place is firmly ignoring that idea. The King’s Cross venue kicks off 2026 with a packed programme spanning immersive music, contemporary classical, jazz, spoken word and live podcasting. Whether you want a full sensory experience or a straightforward brilliant night out, there’s something here worth leaving the house for.
Memory Unwrapped: immersive music and art in King’s Cross
15–31 January 2026 | Various venues at Kings Place | From £12.50
Kings Place launches Memory Unwrapped, a year-long series exploring how memory shapes music, art and storytelling. January’s opening run includes everything from orchestral concerts to VR installations.
A Night to Remember takes over the building on Thursday 15 January. Expect a festival-style evening where audiences move between live performances by Festival Voices, Olivia Chaney and jazz pianist Joe Webb, alongside virtual reality experiences by Ristband Studios and a pulsing soundtrack throughout the venue. Tickets are £45 (with concessions and under-30s offers available).
Later in the month, Ristband Studios: Altered & Machine Memory runs on 16–17 January, offering short immersive sessions combining live music, spatial audio and VR. Tickets start at £12.50, making it one of the most accessible ways to experience cutting-edge digital performance.
Contemporary orchestral highlights at Kings Place
17–31 January 2026 | From £20
Aurora Orchestra: Memory on Saturday 17 January marks composer-conductor Brett Dean’s 65th birthday year. Joined by mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean, the orchestra moves fluidly between Bach, Ravel, Radiohead and Caroline Shaw, exploring how music holds and reshapes memory. Tickets range from £29.50 to £69.50, with concessions available.
On Saturday 31 January, the Colin Currie Quartet presents This Place, These People, featuring the world premiere of a Kings Place commission by Joe Duddell. A rhythm-driven, high-energy programme for fans of contemporary music. Tickets from £25.
Quiet, contemplative concerts for thoughtful listeners
18 January 2026 | £23.50
GBSR Duo: For Philip Guston takes place on Sunday 18 January. This intimate afternoon performance centres on Morton Feldman’s meditative work dedicated to painter Philip Guston, reflecting on friendship, estrangement and memory. Tickets are £23.50, with concessions available.
Classical music without the stuffiness
9–24 January 2026 | From £15
For those who enjoy classical music but prefer variety and accessibility, January offers several standout concerts. Zoë Martlew celebrates the launch of her debut album on 9 January, blending theatre, electronics and classical performance. Tickets are £22.
The Astatine Trio, BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, perform Beethoven’s Archduke Trio alongside Weinberg on 19 January, with tickets from £15.
Pianist Manami Suzuki, winner of the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, makes her London recital debut on 23 January, performing Haydn, Bach, Szymanowski and Schubert. Tickets range from £15 to £35.
Grammy-winning chamber music
24 January 2026 | From £20
The Attacca Quartet appears on Saturday 24 January, performing music by Mendelssohn, Gabriela Ortiz and George Crumb. Known for their adventurous programming and intensity, this is one for listeners who like their classical music with edge. Tickets from £20.
Jazz and genre-crossing nights out
18 & 30 January 2026 | From £18
Cardiff-based jazz-electronic outfit Slowly Rolling Camera play a rare London show on Sunday 18 January, blending groove, atmosphere and cinematic textures. Tickets are £22.
Indie collective The Golden Dregs, joined by Dana Gavanski, perform on Friday 30 January. Expect expansive songs and late-night energy. Tickets are £18.
Spoken word and live podcasting
9 January 2026 | £22
The Empire Podcast returns to Kings Place on Friday 9 January for its 700th episode. Film chat, jokes and surprise guests make this a lively alternative to traditional theatre or comedy nights. Tickets are £22.
For full listings and booking details, visit kingsplace.co.uk.
Featured photo: Renell Shaw, Olivia Chaney, Sam McShane, GBSR Duo (c) Kings Place, Monika S Jakubowska
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
